UFC Parts Ways With Veteran Joe Stevenson

The UFC confirmed on Thursday that they have cut veteran Joe Stevenson from the roster.

Stevenson (31-14) debuted on season two of The Ultimate Fighter, earning the tournament crown winning five of his first six bouts. He became the No. 1 contender to the lightweight championship, falling to B.J. Penn at UFC 80.

The move has been expected since Stevenson lost his last four fights, including a decision defeat at the hands of Javier Vazquez. He was 3-6 in his previous nine bouts and went 8-8 overall in the UFC.

Stevenson, just 29-years-old, was involved in three Fight of the Nights, winning one of them over Nate Diaz. The other two came in losses to George Sotiropoulos and Diego Sanchez.